The Vocal Virtuoso Kit Chan
With a career spanning over three decades, Kit Chan stands as one of Singapore's most influential cultural figures.
From her unforgettable debut at the 1998 National Day Parade with the iconic song 'Home' to her starring roles in landmark productions like The Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress, she has helped shape the national imagination through music and theatre. In recent years, she took on the role of a lifetime as Kwa Geok Choo in LKY: The Musical—an intimate, powerful portrayal of one of Singapore's most iconic women. AS A CHANGEMAKER, WHAT DRIVES YOU AT YOUR CORE?
The desire to express my feelings and thoughts and the need to make a connection. Amid that lie a lot of contradictory wants as well—like the want to be private and alone. I am a walking paradox. WHAT IS THE ONE ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE YOU ARE PROUDEST OF, AND WHY?
Professionally, it must be the song 'Home' because it has transcended from being a popular song to becoming something of a national identity—uniting fellow Singaporeans whether in joy or in grief. This song has been such a gift to me and I'm so proud of this legacy. On a personal level, I consider my greatest achievement to be the fact that I have remained true to myself despite having been in the limelight for more than three decades. HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED IN YOUR JOURNEY?
There have been many challenges and I rely and draw on so many different resources to overcome them, like trusted colleagues, close friends, supportive family, time and skills I learn along the way. But perhaps the biggest resources are faith and love. In my experience, no matter how busy you are, you must never neglect the cultivation of love and faith in your life. Why is it important for you to contribute to Singapore's cultural landscape and how do art and performance play a role in it?
I grew up as a teenager in the '80s, when there was so much discussion about Singapore being a cultural desert. That frightened me because it sounded unsustainable for a nation, especially one that is young and trying to find its own identity and way in the world.
In the past, being overtly practical and elitist in our culture made it more difficult for people to step forward and try to contribute. It is much better these days. Mindsets are shifting and Singaporeans are more willing to take an alternative path. Success is also defined in more diverse ways now.
In a nutshell, art and performance are crucial to the building of a nation. It is beyond material or even critical success. It is existential, in a way. If we don't tell our own story, who else will? Looking forward, what is one change you want to see in the music industry?
We must remain open-minded and willing to try everything, including mastering a new language or learning a new skill. This will always be an important and relevant mindset that a small island state like ours should adopt. While it is heartening to see local audiences embracing local music and artists more readily, our music industry must continue to expand into the region and beyond. The world is a big place, and while we may choose to live and work here, we must not become inward-looking.
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13 hours ago
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Straits Times
15 hours ago
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NDP 2025 packs to come in 7 designs, feature works by artists with disabilities
These themes were created by 21 artists aged 20 to 73 at ART:DIS, a non-profit organisation aimed at creating opportunities for persons with disabilities in the arts. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI NDP 2025 packs to come in 7 designs, feature works by artists with disabilities SINGAPORE – The 2025 National Day Parade (NDP) packs will come in seven designs, featuring works of art by 41 artists with disabilities. Through these artworks, the artists aged 10 to 73 aim to express their hopes for Singapore, and what the Republic's journey and future mean to them. Multiculturalism, Resilience, Openness and Boldness are the themes of four of the NDP pack designs. These themes were created by 21 artists aged 20 to 73 at ART:DIS, a non-profit organisation aimed at creating opportunities for persons with disabilities in the arts. The other 20 artists are special education school students between 10 and 18 years old, who portrayed the themes of Care, Contribute and Future in their art, the parade organisers announced on June 9 as they gave the media a first look at the design of the packs. As for the contents of the NDP pack , Major Desmond Lim, chairman of the NDP 2025 pack committee, said it will contain several staple food items to keep the audience refreshed and energised throughout the show. The public can also expect several interactive items, such as clappers, in their packs. Maj Lim said show attendees will find out what is inside the packs when they receive them . 'We will keep the suspense there.' The works of art will be printed on the packs , which are recycled polyester tote bags. They will also be incorporated in a National Day 2025 stamp set produced by national postal service Singapore Post. The NDP pack will be distributed to those attending National Education shows, NDP preview shows and the National Day Parade on Aug 9. (From left) Nur Fazira Binte Mohd Nuruddin, artist representing the 'Contribute' Artwork; Rihansh Manoj Chugani, artist representing the 'Contribute' Artwork; Mohammad Zulkhari Lutfi Bin Mohd Azam, artist representing the 'Boldness' Artwork; Tay Hong Yao Brennan, artist representing the 'Resilience' Artwork; Tay Bee Lian, artist representing the 'Openness' Artwork; and Sage Tan Song Yen, artist representing the 'Multiculturalism' Artwork. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI For the first time, the live show on Aug 9 will be extended from the Padang to Marina Bay, as part of an 'expanded canvas' to mark Singapore's 60th year of independence. Those who have registered to visit five heartland celebration sites and various Bay Celebration sites, or participate in pledge events , will also be eligible to collect the NDP packs on-site. A pledge event is a new initiative to support Singaporeans in organising their own community celebrations from July, with the Government's help. Of the seven themed artworks , Multiculturalism, for instance , celebrates local cultures, highlighting the nation's diversity through iconic symbols such as the traditional Malay food staple ketupat, and capteh, a traditional game where players keep a feathered shuttlecock in the air by kicking it with their feet. Another theme, Future, gives Singaporeans a glimpse of a nation shaped by innovation and care. The artwork features elements of artificial intelligence and technology to celebrate the Republic's spirit of progress and the embrace of new inventions. Meanwhile, Resilience honours the strength and unity of Singaporeans, such as front-line workers during challenging times, and the artwork for Care is set among Housing Board blocks and green spaces to show people from all walks of life coming together. HDB blocks were also featured in another design , under the theme of Contribute . Rihansh Manoj Chugani, who has cerebral palsy, proudly held up the pack as he pointed to the HDB block he drew. Rihansh Manoj Chugani, the artist representing the 'Contribute' Artwork. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Speaking to the media, the 12-year-old said: 'I drew HDB blocks because they are Singapore's pride. I also coloured them green to represent nature. Next time, I hope to see (more) solar panels on HDB blocks , so that we can save electricity together.' Meanwhile, Madam Tay Bee Lian, 73, illustrated the Mandarin phrase for 'How are you?' as part of the Openness artwork . Madam Tay, whose polio diagnosis causes muscle weakness in her limbs, said: 'I wrote 您好吗? (How are you?) using calligraphy because it is what we say every time we greet each other.' Madam Tay Bee Lian, the rtist representing the 'Openness' Artwork. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI After two hours of practice writing the phrase and more than 10 attempts , Madam Tay said she was excited to see it come to life on the NDP pack. 'Every year, I see how nice the NDP packs are, so I am very honoured that I am a part of creating it this year,' she added. MAJ Lim said the hope is that the collaboration with the artists will honour their abilities, recognise their talents and bring their vision for the country to fellow Singaporeans. 'Drawing on the artists' unique strengths and shared experiences, they have co-created seven pieces of unique artworks for this year's NDP pack, inspired by their reflections on Singapore's heritage, shared experiences, and their imagination of Singapore's shared future,' he added. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
